Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-01-10
NORFOLK, Va, Jan. 8, 1887.

NORFOLK, Va, Jan. 8, 1887.
One of the most disastrous shipwrecks
which ever occurred on the Virginia coast
happened at o'clock this morning, IA miles
south of Cape Henry. Not less than 20, and
probably more, lives were Lost, among them
five liie-ssving men. who, in discharge of
their duty, were drowned. The morning was
bitterly cold, and a binding snow storm pre-
vailed, with the wind blowing q gale from
the northeast. During lull in the storm
the life-saving patrol from Little island lite
saving station sighted large ship stranded
on the bar about 300 yards from the shore.
The Dam neck patrol was only short DIS
lance away when the vessel was sighted, and
both pa rolls fired rockets to notify the crew
of the stranded ship that she had been seen.
They hurried back To their respective stations
and gave the alarm. In little while both
crews, with liteooats and apparatus, were
abreast of the wreck, and The boom of NOR
tar announced that life line had been shot
out to the Illfated vessel. The shot was un-
successful, and a second was fred with like
result. After firing six unsuccessful shots,
the lite saving men determined to brave the
furious sea and the death which seemed GER
tain to await their venture. The word OF
command being given by Capt Belango OF
lite saving statio4 No. 4 known as Little ISL
and, six Of the most expert boatmen manned
each boat. AT his command the men gave
way with a will. In a moment both boats
were breastng the furious waves. They
Reached the ship in safety and five of the
ships crew were taken in a liteboat and 10 in
a ships boat, which was LAUGHED for the
purpose. Tue boats were headed for shore
and not word was spoken, for each man
realized the a~ fui peril which surrounded
them. With steady pull the two boats were
making good headway for shore when wave
of great power struck both boats, capsizing
them instantly, and pitching their ~ occu-
pants into the boiling sea. Then began u
desperate struggle for life. and with many OF
the men it WAS u prolonged one. The drown
ing men were carried southward by the seas,
| and some of them were washed ashore. As
they came within reach they were picked up.
and endeavors were made to revive them,
and in two instances with success, although
one of the two is badly injured.
The vessel is the German ship Elizabeth,
Capt. Halberstadt, from Hamburg to Balti-
more, and not one of her crew survives her
| wreck Her cargo is unknown, as the high
seas have thus far prevented any attempt to
reach her. 1t is thought she is leaking bad
| iy, and at sunset her masts were thought to
be giving way.
Later particulars from the wreck of the
German ship Elizabeth, which went ashore
Yesterday morning on the Virginia beach IA
miles south Of Cape Henry, puts the number
OF the crew at % men instead of 10, not a
man of whom was saved. This fact was
| learned from two men of the lif. saving crew
| who survive, and who recovered conscious
ness today. The bodies of five mon Of the
| life saving crew, and of four of the ship
crew, which were recovered Yesterday, were
in life preservers. and three more of the
| ships crew without lite preservers on were
picked up lower down the coast this morning
body which has been Identified As that OF
| the captain is among those recovered On
his person was photograph marked Capt
| +. Halberstadt, and letters addressed to Hen
| rv Kaulkmann, and several bills from Joseph
| Lamke T. Co.. Bremenhaven. This evening
| the masts of the ship were still standing, al,
| though the sea WAS breaking over her violent
| ly. Supt. Poyner, of the life saving service
will board her IN the morning, If possible.
| As reported iSst night, not a word was spoken
| between the ships crew and the life saving
men W hen they boarded her in their desperate
attempt at rescue, and the cause OF the
wreck can therefore never be positively
known, although 1t is supposed that IN at
| I, mptiug 10 make the capes OF Virginia, and
under reefed sails, sufficient allowance was
not made for the strong currents which have
caused several disastrous wrecks along the
during the last few years.